Omaha daily bee., 1887-06-26

lots, They began OH the auction plan ana
cents per square foot. Since that time there
have been several other sales and prices have
jumped in some cases to 26is cents per square
foot or something like $4,000 an acre. This
is not the only Instance, but already wash
ington people seem to have gone crazy on
the subject of town lots and prices have en-
HANGED enormously 1t Is n fact that IN some
enormously higher than they are in many
portions of Washington, where water, gas,
sewerage and other conveniences are to be
had.
A Production Of England.
WASHINGTON, June 25.-[Special to the
BEE. 1t is a singular fact that the United
States, while strong in resources, is entirely
dependent upon foreign countries for the
gold and tinsel which is used in decorating
her officers of the army and navy when on
dress parade. A military officer. no matter
what flag he fights under, must have GER
tain amount of glitter obout his shoulders or
he cannot do Justice to the government which
employs him. Epaulettes and shoulder knots
are as essential to a we'll regulated army or
navy as are the guns and ammunition used
on the enemy. Yet In spite OF the fact that
there are some six or seven thousand officers
in the service of the United States who must
lettes, there is not sngle manufactory in the
country where this war material can be
made. Every piece used in the decoration
of the uniforms of the regulars, as well as
the vast quantity which goes to adorn the
militia of the different states, all comes from
England An officer of the Quarternaster's
department of the army tells me that the rea-
son that none is manufactured in this coun-
try IS the fact that the plant necessary to es.
tablsh the business on a paying scale would
cost million dollars at least. and that there
is no absolute evidence that the stuff could
be made here as cheap as in England, At all
nnf q M nY,n hat
risk so great n sum in the establishment OF
business which must necessarily be re-
Stricted.
Prosecuting Illegal Wood Cutters.
WASHINGTON, June 25. Especial Tee-
gram to the BEE. Tho secretary of the in
terror, after investigation has requested the
attorney general to institute criminal suit
against Alvin G. Dake, y. B. Morrison and
Charles Macarthur, of Dake. Colo. for $1,000
cords of pine and spruce wood cut from gov
ernment lands in Colorado, and to institute
civil proceedings against Dake aud the
Omaha Grant Smelling company Jointly to
coal, the product of the wood that was cut
from public lands. 1t seems that tho smelt.
ing company, at the head of which is ex.
Governor Grant, a prominent democrat OF
ana his associates, and it Is claimed that the
company had no KIN Owledye as to where the
wood that produced tho charcoal came from.
Civil Service Changes Recommended.
WASHINGTON June 25.-The secretaries
of local civil boards at several of the larger
cities called here to confer with the civil SER
vice commission, with view to establishing
uniform system of examinations through
out the country, and to exchange views upon
questions affecting til 9 civil service system,
concluded their conference this afternoon.
One of the most important questions dis
cusscd was one OF amending the present
rules so as to provide for the animation
sitions anywhere in the customs or postal
service, by the present central board OF ex.
animation located in Washington, enlarged
efficient officers from each of several of more
important local offices in the country. 1t is
claimed that by this system of examining
papers, uniformity in marking and greater
would relieve the system of all suspicion
even of favOritiSln. Mason, secretary of the
New York postotlice board, and Donovan, of
| the Chicago custom house, were appointed
the secretaries upon this subject. The
secretaries unanimously favored rails.
eligibility to csrtllicatlon M . from M sixty, us,
places as require special or technical qualiii-
| cations. They also favored the discontinue
ance of the tifteen-year limitation as to the
| age of clerks in general, except in special
| cases, and also to raise the minimum limita-
| ton of age of letter carriers from sixteen to
| twenty-one. The commission will soon
| place the matter before the president for his
| approval.
Mrs. Cleveland Back Home.
WASHINGTON, June25.- Especial Telegram
to the BEE. THE president met Mrs
| Cleveland at the depot this morning and as
| they rode up the avenue to the executive
mansion they appeared as happy rs on their
bridal morning. Even Hawkins, the veteran
driver of the presidential carriage under sew
| eral administrations, wore smile of joy on
his ebony countenance at the return of the
white house mistress Colonel Lamont fol-
lowed in his open wagon, driving fine pair
| of roadsterS accompanied by Mrs. Lamont
| and t heir children, who had gone to the sta
tiOn to meet him. The gallant colonel also
wore look OF peace and contentment with
| all the world.
| CIeveland's Many Invitations.
| WASHINGTON. June 25.-ISpecial Tee
gram to the BEE. E.l-Mayor Denny, of In
dianapolls, having in a recent letter urged
| President Cleveland to accept the state board
of agrcutures invitation to attend the In
| diana fair, has received reply from the
| president stating that he regrets that his
| plans for the autumn are not sufficiently ma
| luTcu W clldDlt nun " Scuu any ucHNlto Ic-
| ply. The president is to visit Philadelphia
| next September during the progress OF the
| ceremonies incident to the constitutional
convention celebration.
The Cruiser Chicago.
| WASHINGTON, June 25.-- Special! Telegram
to the BEE l--Orders have been given to the
bureau OF construction of the navy depart
ment to have the cruiser Chicago, now NJ
New York, placed in the dry dock, cleaned
and painted, preparatory to going on a trial
trip up long Island Sound, which Will prob
ably be ordered within q months time.
Coming around from Chester to New York
the Cruiser averaged thirteen knots, although
the furnace doors were open great part OF
| the time, and particular care was exercised
not to injure the machinery By forcing the
speed.
Military Matters.
WASHINGTON, June 25.-ISpccial Tele
gram to the BEE. l--Captain Douglas NJ.
Scott, First infantry, has been granted three
months sick leave from recruiting station
here.
Major Edward B. Williston, Third artil.
lery, is ordered here from Fort Riley. Kan.
via Chicago on special business connected
with the projected army school at Fort Riley.
| First I,iputenant Cornelius e.. CuSsick